coaxing: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Mostly informal, but acceptable in neutral contexts. Conveys a nuanced, descriptive tone.
Quick answer
What does “coaxing” mean?
The act of gently and persistently persuading someone to do something, often using flattery, patience, or soft words.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of gently and persistently persuading someone to do something, often using flattery, patience, or soft words.
Can also refer to the process of carefully manipulating a delicate object or system into a desired state (e.g., coaxing a fire to start, coaxing data from a drive).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. The verb 'coax' is used identically.
Connotations
Identical connotations of gentle persuasion.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English corpus data, but the difference is minimal.
Grammar
How to Use “coaxing” in a Sentence
coax [OBJECT] into [VERB+ING] (He coaxed her into staying)coax [OBJECT] to [INFINITIVE] (She coaxed the plant to grow)coax [OBJECT] from/out of [SOURCE] (coax a smile from the child)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “coaxing” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She spent ages coaxing the old car to start.
- He can coax a smile from anyone.
American English
- I had to coax him into trying sushi.
- She coaxed the shy student to participate.
adverb
British English
- He spoke coaxingly to the nervous dog.
- She smiled coaxingly, hoping to change his mind.
American English
- "Just try it," he said coaxingly.
- She patted the seat coaxingly, inviting him to sit.
adjective
British English
- He gave her a coaxing smile, hoping she'd agree.
- She used a coaxing tone of voice.
American English
- With a coaxing manner, he persuaded the committee.
- Her coaxing words finally won me over.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might describe managing a reluctant client or team member (e.g., 'The deal required some gentle coaxing').
Academic
Very rare. More likely in literary analysis or psychology texts describing interaction.
Everyday
Common for describing interactions with people (children, partners) or pets.
Technical
Used in computing/engineering in its extended meaning (e.g., 'coaxing data from a corrupted file').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “coaxing”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “coaxing”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “coaxing”
- Using it for harsh persuasion ('His angry coaxing' is contradictory).
- Confusing with 'coaching'.
- Using as a direct synonym for 'asking' (it implies more effort and skill).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it inherently describes a patient, gentle, and skillful method. If the intent is manipulative, a word like 'wheedling' or 'manipulating' would be more accurate.
Yes, in an extended sense. You can talk about 'coaxing a fire to light' or 'coaxing performance from an old computer', implying careful, patient handling.
The gerund 'coaxing' functions as the primary uncountable noun (e.g., 'It took a lot of coaxing'). A rarer, more formal noun is 'coaxation'.
'Persuading' is broader and more neutral. 'Coaxing' is a specific type of persuading that is gentle, gradual, and often uses soft words or encouragement, typically applied where there is hesitation or difficulty.
The act of gently and persistently persuading someone to do something, often using flattery, patience, or soft words.
Coaxing is usually mostly informal, but acceptable in neutral contexts. conveys a nuanced, descriptive tone. in register.
Coaxing: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkəʊk.sɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkoʊk.sɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “With a little coaxing, ... (introductory phrase for a positive outcome after gentle effort)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a cook (sounds like 'coax') gently trying to get a fussy child to eat—'The cook's coaxing worked.'
Conceptual Metaphor
PERSUASION IS GENTLE PHYSICAL MANIPULATION (e.g., guiding, nudging, drawing out).
Practice
Quiz
Which situation BEST exemplifies 'coaxing'?